Apparatus for drying alpha stereotyping matrix



Feb. 16, 1932.

c. R. GREEN 1,845,914

APPARATUS FOR DRYING A STEREOTYPING MATRIX Filed Oct. 20, 1930 PatentedFeb. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES R. GREEN, 0FINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA Application filed October 90, 1930. Serial No.489,927.

This invention relates enerally to the subject of dryin matricesvollowing the moldmg thereof from which to cast stereotype plates usedin modern printing presses, the invention having reference moreparticularly to a type of apparatus for drying a matrix in accordancewith an improved method of carrying out the objects of my invention.

An object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus adapted tobe used in the drying of a stereotype matrix so as to be true orsymmetrically perfect, or one that is not warped or uneven.

Another object is to provide improved apparatus which shall be of suchconstruction as to rapidly and effectively cause drying of matrices thatshall have perfect normal faces to insure perfect printing faces onstereotype plates, without high spots or equally objectionable low spotsthat would cause indistinct printing impressions.

A further object is to provide means whereby a matrix after having beenpulled from a type form may be expeditiously and completely dried, andfree from unevenness that may be due to various causes or result fromthe necessary practice of pulling the matrix off of the type form.

A still further object is to provide improved apparatus for drying astereotype matrix without requiring the use of troublesome devices or aseparate drying press.

A still further object is to provide improved apparatus for drying astereotype matrix that shall he of improved quality when the modern drymat process is practiced. which apparatus shall not be costly but shallbe durable, efficient and economical in use.

With the above-mentioned and other objects in view, the inventionconsists in novel matrix-drying apparatus adapted for use in thepractice of dryinga matrix under conditions insuring true form to insurea perfectly-faced stereotype plate that will not need underlaying oroverlaying expedients preparatory to printing operations; and, further,the invention consists in the novel parts and in the combinationsandarrange ments of parts, ashereinafter particularly described and furtherdefined in the claims appended hereto.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,-Figure 1 is a front elevation ofthe improved matrix dr ing apparatus as prefer 65 ably constructed; -ig.2 is a longitudinal vertical central section of. the apparatus of whichminor portions are broken away; Fi 3 is a horizontal central sectionshowing principal parts of the apparatus, looking upward; Fig. 4 is atransverse section showing principal part of the apparatuson a planeapproximately midway between the ends of the drying oven comprised inthe apparatus; Fig. 5 is a transverse section on a plane slightlyrearward of the middle portion of the oven; and Fig. 6 is a fragmentaryplan view of a control lever preferably embraced in the controllingapparatus. a

Similar reference characters in the diflercut figures of the drawingsindicate corresponding elements or features of construction hereinreferred to indetail.

The improved apparatus as preferably constructed is adapted for drying amatrix while curved so as to conform approximately to the curvature ofthe printing press cylinder on which the stereotype plate is to be used,the apparatus comprising a main frame part having side walls 1, 2, 3 and4 and a bottom 30 5, so as to be adapted to constitute a heatingchamber, the main part being provided with a suitable number ofsupporting legs 6, preferably four legs, the part preferably having sideflanges 7 and 8 directly supported upon the tops of the legs. Preferablya separate combustion box is provided and comprises front and rear walls9 and 10 and side walls 11 and 12, the side walls having inwardlyextending cover portions 13 and larespectively, between which the frontand rear walls are recessed and receive the lower portion of acylindrical oven shell adapted to support a matrix while being dried.The walls of the combustion box are seated upon the walls of the heatingchamber and are secured thereto, preferably by means of base flanges 16and 17 secured to the flanges 7 and 8 respectively. Preferably suporting plateslS and 19 are secured to the ell and to the cover portions13 and 14 respectively. The oven shell has a back head suitably fixedthereto, the head preferably having a flange extension 21 that issecured to the rear wall 10. An annular door frame 22 is suitably fixedon the forward end of the shell and has a suitable joint seat 23 facingoutwardly, the door frame being provided with hinge members 24. A frontdoor 25 is provided and has hinge ears 26 that are connected with thehinge members 24 by means of a hinge pin 27, the door having a suitableannular joint face 28 adapted to tightly fit to the seat 23. The hingepin is so located as to permit the door to be easily swung open or toclosed position. The frame is provided with a notched catch member 29, V

and the door has a latch 30* fixed on a spindle 31 rotatively supportedby the doorv and having a handle 32 for lifting the latch which isadapted to readily engage the catch member when brought thereto.

The lower portion of the oven shell has perforations to constitutechannels 33 for the escape of-moisture and also vapor that may begenerated in the drying of a matrix, and particularly to permit theescape of air that might be trapped under the matrix when placed on itsbed or lower portions of the shell. The channels serve to conduct heatedair directly to the matrix. In order to guide the matrix two guide bars34 and 35 are arranged in the upper portion of the oven, both barspreferably being adjustable, each with respect to the other, and areprovided with sockets 36 and 37 respectively that receive the oppositeends of a coil spring 38 which is under compression, another spring 38being similarly mounted, to force the guide bars in opposite directionsalong the inner sideof the shell whereby to c'ontrollably hold a matrixin place. Each guide bar is so arranged as to be guided at one endagainst the back head 20 of the oven, the forward ends of the bars beingguided by duplex guides 39 and 39 respectively that are secured to theshell,

other guides 40 and 40 being suitably located and secured to the shellto guide the bars relatively to the shell. Each guide bar has a contactplate 41 adapted to guide an edge portion of a matrix and to forciblyretain the matrix in place, each contact plate having an inclined guideplate or lip 42 whereby to guide the matrix ed e to the contact plate.For controlling the guide bars and retracting them inopposit-ion to thespring pressure, the bars are provided with ears 43 and '44respectively, and a pivot stud 45 is supported between the ears, thestudpreferably being provided with a base plate 46 secured to the upperporti'o'n'lof the shell, the stud appropriately supporting a lever plate47 providedwith a handle 48 for itsoperation. The plate 47 has a slot 49receiving the stud and permitting equalizing movement of the leverplate, the plate having pin holes 50 and 51 therein that extend into'thelower portion of the heating chamber, a supply pipe 56 provided with aregulating valve '57 being connected 7 with the headers Preferably alsoan electric heater 58 is arranged within the oven and suitably supportedbv the oven wall, to heat or'to superheat air in'the oven for drying theface of a matrix the heater preferably having an insulating shank member59 extending through and supported in the back head 20 of the oven. 3 f

A. supply pipe 60 is suitably supported by the upper portion of the ovenshell and ex: tends therethrough,.and it is provided with a suitablecontrolling valve 61 outside the oven, the valve being ofsuchconstruction as ma be desired, preferably being such asto be adaptednot only to admit compressed air into the oven but to be adjustedsubsequently to release the air into the atmosphere, the air underpressure or an equivalent elastic fluid being :desired. to force amatrix 62 uniformly into contact with the channeled portion of the ovenshell constituting the matrix bed. i

In practical use the gas burner may be constantly operated andregulated, and upon opening the front door 25 :a matrix required to bedried is inserted endwisein the oven, the back of :the matrix beingundermost and sliding on the lowerportion of the shell with the oppositeedges of. thematrixunder and guided by the guide plates 42 which mayreadily be done after having pulled the lever handle48 so as to draw theguide bars 34 and 35 each towards-the other When the lever plate 47 isturned until the pivots of the links 52 and 53 are approximately inalinement the guide bars. are thereby prevented from returning until thelever plate is turned in the opposite direction to permit. action of thesprings 38 which force the contact plates 41 against theopposite edgesof the matrix and hold the latter in the required place. Upon the doorbeing closed the valve 61 is manipulated to admit compressed airpreferably heated air,in'to the oven and the air pressure forcesthematrix tightly against the bed pore tion of the shell, trapped airbehind the mattrix and vapor therefrom escaping through the channels 33,the heated shell and heated 'air quickly drying the matrix, but thedrying may be accelerated by putting the electric heater intoOPGIfLtlOIlQf Upon completionof the drying process the front door isopened,

' the lever handle 48 pulled forward to release and hold the guide bars,after which the matrix is free and is quickly drawn from the oven intrue form for use in casting the required stereotype.

hat is claimed is:

1. A matrix-drying apparatus including a cylindrical oven horizontallyarranged and having a perforated lower portion constituting a bed for amatrix, one end of the oven being provided with a hinged door, guidebars adjustably mounted in the oven to guide opposite edges of thematrix, means to force the guide bars each away from the other againstsaid edges, a pipe to conduct compressed air into the oven, and means tosupply heated air to the matrix.

2. A matrix-drying apparatus including a horizontal cylindrical ovenhaving a vertical. door on one end. thereof and a heating chamberbeneath the oven, guide bars horizontally arranged adjustably in theupper portion of the oven to guide opposite edges of a matrix, andretain the matrix on the bottom portion. of the oven, means to applyforce laterally on the guide bars, a supply pipe extending into the ovento conduct compressed air there to, and a controlling valve connectedwith the supply pipe outside the oven.

3. A matrix-drying apparatus including acylindrical oven horizontallyarranged and havin an outward-swinging door on one end, the door beingprovided with a latch, opposite guide bars mounted adjustably in theupper portion of the oven to guide and to hold a matrix on the inside ofthe lower portion of the oven, means mounted on the inside of the upperportion of the oven to adjust the guide bars, means to control theadjusting means, a supply pipe to admit compressed air into the oven,and a heater arranged in the oven.

4. A matrix-drying apparatus comprising a heating chamber having acombustion box thereon, a cylindrical oven shell horizontally supportedby the combustion box and having a back head, the lower portion of theshell being perforated and located within the box, a burner arranged inthe heating chamher, a door hinged to the forward end of the oven shell,two opposite guide bars longitudinally arranged adjustably on the insideof the upper portion of the shell, coil springs seated on the two guidebars under compression, a lever plate pivoted to the upper portion ofthe shell between the guide bars and having a handle, two linkspivotally connected at one end to the guide bars respectively and attheir opposite ends to opposite portions of the lever plate, and anair-supply pipe extending into the oven shell.

5. In a matrix-drying apparatus, the combination of a hollow cylindricaloven shell horizontally arranged and provided with two oppositelongitudinally arranged guide-bars to guide a matrix at its oppositeedges longitudinally upon the lower portion of the shell, said barsbeing laterally adjustable on the inner side of the shell to exertlateral pressure against the opposite edges of the matrix for forciblyholding the matrix downward evenly against the lower portion of theshell, a door hinged to the forward end of the oven shell, an air-supplypipe terminating in the oven shell, and means to apply heat to thematrix.

6. In a matrix-drying apparatus, the combination of a heating chamber, acylindrical oven shell horizontally mounted upon the chamber and havinga back head, the lower portion of the shell being perforated andconstituting a matrix bed resisting gravity pressure, a burner arrangedin the heating chamber, two opposite guide and pressure barslongitudinally arranged on the inside of the upper portion of the shell,power means to force one of said bars directionally from the other,means to control the power means, and an air-supply pipe terminating inthe oven shell.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature on the 16th day of October,1930.

, CHARLES R. GREENQ

